I'm sinking down
If you only knew how hard it is
For me to climb out
I'm kicking and screaming
But no one can hear me
So what happens now?
The shadows are creeping in
-I Didn't Ask For This, Beth Crowley
"This place is beautiful."
"It is." I looked out over the city, checking my watch again. "I haven't been up here since I was just a kid."
"You've been to Tokyo, that's a bit more fancy than just the hills outside town." Gina ran her fingers through my ponytail, the wavy copper colored strands running through her fingers as easily as water.
"I was six, it was a business trip, and I stayed in the hotel room watching Dora the Explorer the whole time." I replied. "It wasn't that big of a deal."
"Still, I'd do anything for that kind of chance." Gina said, looking out over the city. I froze.
"I'm sorry." Sometimes I forgot how privileged my family was, and how Gina's family was nothing like mine economically. Something that would be a minor expense for us could bankrupt the Riveras, forcing them out of their home.
"It's fine. That's one thing about being rich that I've noticed, you don't get to appreciate the moment as much. Of course, I'd rather be rich than broke all the time, but at least I have my family, and you."
I smiled. "Thank you, Gina."
Gina checked her watch. "Thirty seconds." I clutched her hand as we counted down, not even noticing as it began to pour down rain.
"Five, four, three, two, one!" The lights indicating the accelerator being started up turned on, bathing the exterior of my father's company, STAR Labs, in light.
"It's beautiful." Gina said.
"Not as beautiful as you." I teased. I let my mind wander, suddenly noticing the rain coming down. I pulled up the hood of Gina's rain poncho over her head, hiding the deep brown curls that framed her face under it. I pulled up my hood as well, and for a few moments, everything was peaceful.
"Wait... What's happening?" Gina's voice broke me out of my thoughts. I looked down at the city. In a blast that shook the ground all the way out to the hills, where we were, a massive fireball overtook the lab. I screamed.
"Dad, no!"
I should probably mention this here, but me and my dad are really close. Ever since my mom died in a car accident when I was three, it's been just us. We're all each other has in our family, as both my paternal and maternal grandparents passed before I was born, and my dad was an only child.
Now, with the threat of losing him on the horizon, all I could think of was going home to him.
"I'll get the car ready." Gina said. I watched as the energy wave from the explosion spread through the clouds, rolling through like the Nexus in that one Star Trek movie. Thunder rumbled, the storm picking up. I hoped I could make it back in time.
Gina beckoned me to come over to her car, the soft purr of the motor an almost comforting sound in my panic. I climbed in the passenger seat, and Gina started the drive back into town.
"Weather's getting nasty, isn't it?" Gina commented. "I'm not liking this visibility either."
"Yeah, agreed." I replied, barely able to focus on what my girlfriend said. "Can't this thing go any faster?"
"It's really not safe up here to go any faster." Gina replied. "We'd probably end up going out of control or hitting something."
"Fu safety." I muttered. "My dad's in trouble."
Gina nodded, speeding up a bit. I leaned my head against the back of my seat, mumbling a prayer to whatever was out there, to the universe or a god I wasn't sure even existed.
Don't let this be taken from me.
In a sudden explosive burst of light and sound, the car spun out of control. The tires blew, and as we spun closer to the edge of the winding mountain road, time seemed to slow down. I wrapped my body around Gina's to protect her from the impact as we watched the car fly off the cliff.
***
"Is this Esmeralda Wells?" Esmé picked up her phone, listening as the operator told her what had happened. The Particle Accelerator had exploded, leaving her father paralyzed, and her sister missing.
"I'll be there as soon as possible."
***
I clawed my way to shore from the icy water of the river, ignoring the excruciating pain in my body. I laid down on the bank, exhaustion hitting me. At least I knew Gina was safe. As my consciousness faded, I heard voices coming from the distance.
"...car struck...lightning..."
"My god, I found her. She's still alive." That voice. I knew it.
I felt strong, capable, familiar hands lift me onto a stretcher, then it all went black.
